This year the Boxing Day fixtures aren’t jam packed due to it falling on a Friday this year, nevertheless the one fixture from the top flight of English football has always been one that has been a goalfest. Manchester United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford for an evening fixture. The two sides came head to head in Manchester over the festive period last season and two early goals from the visitors meant the Magpies came away with a 2-0 victory.
It was Alexander Isak who opened the scoring for Eddie Howe’s side after just four minutes and then the lead was doubled 15 minutes later thanks to Joelinton. Howe will not have the Swedish international Isak leading his side this season after the striker made the switch to Liverpool for a British record 125 million on the 1st September 2025. Newcastle finished last season 24 points ahead of Man United last season in 5th while Ruben Amorim’s side finished in a disappointing 15th, their worst season for a number of years.
The summer business for Man Utd saw the arrival of Benjamin Sesko for 76.5 million from RB Leipzig. The Slovenian striker scored 27 goals for the German side over the two seasons he was there. Another addition was Matheus Cunha from Wolves for 74 million, the 26 year old Brazilian scored 29 goals and made 13 assists for Wolves over three seasons. The last of the marque transfers this summer was Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, the 26 year old left foot midfielder scored an impressive 20 goals last season and accumulated 42 goals over four seasons at his previous club. The Cameroon international was purchased for 75 million and has hit the ground running since the switch.
Newcastle were obviously disappointed to lose their top scorer in Alexander Isak but reinvested the majority of the fee in German striker Nick Woltmade. The 23 year old scored 12 goals for Vfb Stuttgart last season so Howe thought the 85 million purchase would play at the club for years to come. The 6ft 5in striker made his debut for his country in June of this year and has netted four times in 8 appearances. Another purchase for the Magpies was Yoane Wissa from Brentford for 55 million on deadline day, the Congo countryman has yet to make his debut for his new side due to a knee injury. The right footed striker scored an impressive 45 goals for his previous side making him a great replacement for Isak. Due to the injury he has been left out of the African Cup of Nations squad starting this month.
The last ten head to heads between the two sides have resulted in five victories for Newcastle, three wins for Man Utd and two draws. In those ten games 27 goals have been netted so we strongly predict an entertaining game of football with goals flowing.